5 Steps to a 5: AP Biology 2017 (2016)
STEP 1
Set Up Your Study Program
CHAPTER 2
How to Plan Your Time
IN THIS CHAPTER
Summary: What to study for the AP Biology exam, depending on how much time you have available, plus three schedules to help you plan your course of study.
Key Ideas
Focus your attention and spend time on those topics that are most likely to increase your score.
Study the topics that you are afraid will appear, and relax about those that you know best.
Do not study so widely that you forget to learn the important details of some of the more heavily detailed topics that appear on the AP Biology exam.
Three Approaches to Preparing for the AP Biology Exam
Overview of the Three Plans
No one knows your study habits, likes, and dislikes better than you do. So you are the only one who can decide which approach you want or need to adopt to prepare for the Advanced Placement Biology Exam. Look at the brief profiles below. These may help you determine a prep mode.
You’re a Full-Year Prep Student (Plan A) if
1. You are the kind of person who likes to plan for everything very far in advance.
2. You arrive at the airport two hours before your flight because “you never know when these planes might leave early.”
3. You like detailed planning and everything in its place.
4. You feel that you must be thoroughly prepared.
5. You hate surprises.
You’re a One-Semester Prep Student (Plan B) if
1. You get to the airport one hour before your flight is scheduled to leave.
2. You are willing to plan ahead to feel comfortable in stressful situations, but are okay with skipping some details.
3. You feel more comfortable when you know what to expect, but a surprise or two is cool.
4. You’re always on time for appointments.
You’re a Six-Week Prep Student (Plan C) if
1. You get to the airport just as your plane is announcing its final boarding.
2. You work best under pressure and tight deadlines.
3. You feel very confident with the skills and background you’ve learned in your AP Biology class.
4. You decided late in the year to take the exam.
5. You like surprises.
6. You feel okay if you arrive 10–15 minutes late for an appointment.
General Outline of Three Different Study Plans
Calendar for Each Plan
Plan A: You Have a Full School Year to Prepare
Although its primary purpose is to prepare you for the AP Biology exam you will take in May, this book can enrich your study of biology, your analytical skills, and your scientific essay-writing skills.
SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER (Check off the activities as you complete them.)
— Determine the study mode (A, B, or C) that applies to you.
— Carefully read Steps 1 and 2 of this book.
— Pay close attention to your walk-through of the Diagnostic/Master Exam.
— Get on the web and take a look at the AP website(s).
— Skim the comprehensive review section (Step 4 ). (Reviewing the topics covered in this section will be part of your yearlong preparation.)
— Buy a few color highlighters.
— Flip through the entire book. Break the book in. Write in it. Toss it around a little bit . . . highlight it.
— Get a clear picture of what your own school’s AP Biology curriculum is.
— Begin to use the book as a resource to supplement your classroom learning.
NOVEMBER (the first 10 weeks have elapsed)
— Read and study Chapter 5 , Chemistry.
— Read and study Chapter 6 , Cells.
— Read and study Chapter 7 , Respiration.
DECEMBER
— Read and study Chapter 8 , Photosynthesis.
— Read and study Chapter 9 , Cell Division.
— Review Chapters 5 –7 .
JANUARY (20 weeks have elapsed)
— Read and study Chapter 10 , Heredity.
— Read and study Chapter 11 , Molecular Genetics.
— Review Chapters 5 –9 .
FEBRUARY
— Read and study Chapter 12 , Evolution.
— Read and study Chapter 13 , Taxonomy and Classification.
— Review Chapters 5 –11 .
MARCH (30 weeks have now elapsed)
— Read and study Chapter 14 , Plants.
— Read and study Chapter 15 , Human Physiology.
— Read and study Chapter 16 , Human Reproduction.
— Review Chapters 5 –13 .
APRIL
— Take Practice Exam 1 in the first week of April.
— Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses.
— Study appropriate chapters to correct your weaknesses.
— Read and study Chapter 17 , Behavioral Ecology and Ethology.
— Read and study Chapter 18 , Ecology in Further Detail.
— Read and study Chapter 19 , Laboratory Review.
— Review Chapters 5 –16 .
MAY (first 2 weeks) (THIS IS IT!)
— Review Chapters 5 –19 —all the material!
— Take Practice Exam 2.
— Score yourself.
— Get a good night’s sleep before the exam. Fall asleep knowing that you are well prepared.
GOOD LUCK ON THE TEST!
Plan B: You Have One Semester to Prepare
Working under the assumption that you’ve completed one semester of biology studies, the following calendar will use those skills you’ve been practicing to prepare you for the May exam.
JANUARY
— Carefully read Steps 1 and 2 of this book.
— Take the Diagnostic/Master Exam.
— Pay close attention to your walk-through of the Diagnostic/Master Exam.
— Read and study Chapter 5 , Chemistry.
— Read and study Chapter 6 , Cells.
— Read and study Chapter 7 , Respiration.
FEBRUARY
— Read and study Chapter 8 , Photosynthesis.
— Read and study Chapter 9 , Cell Division.
— Read and study Chapter 10 , Heredity.
— Review Chapters 5 –7 .
MARCH (10 weeks to go)
— Read and study Chapter 11 , Molecular Genetics.
— Read and study Chapter 12 , Evolution.
— Review Chapters 8 –10 .
— Read and study Chapter 13 , Taxonomy and Classification.
— Read and study Chapter 14 , Plants.
APRIL
— Take Practice Exam 1 in the first week of April.
— Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses.
— Study appropriate chapters to correct your weaknesses.
— Read and study Chapter 15 , Human Physiology.
— Review Chapters 5 –9 .
— Read and study Chapter 16 , Human Reproduction.
— Read and study Chapter 17 , Behavioral Ecology and Ethology.
— Review Chapters 10 –14 .
— Read and study Chapter 18 , Ecology in Further Detail.
— Read and study Chapter 19 , Laboratory Review.
MAY (first 2 weeks) (THIS IS IT!)
— Review Chapters 5 –19 , all the material!
— Take Practice Exam 2.
— Score yourself.
— Get a good night’s sleep before the exam. Fall asleep knowing that you are well prepared.
GOOD LUCK ON THE TEST!
Plan C: You Have Six Weeks to Prepare
At this point, we assume that you have been building your biology knowledge base for more than six months. You will, therefore, use this book primarily as a specific guide to the AP Biology exam.
Given the time constraints, now is not the time to try to expand your AP Biology curriculum. Rather, you should focus on and refine what you already know.
APRIL 1–15
— Skim Steps 1 and 2 of this book.
— Skim Chapters 5 –9 .
— Carefully go over the Rapid Review sections of Chapters 5 –9 .
— Complete Practice Exam 1.
— Score yourself and analyze your errors.
— Skim and highlight the Glossary at the end of the book.
APRIL 16–MAY 1
— Skim Chapters 10 –14 .
— Carefully go over the Rapid Review sections of Chapters 10 –14 .
— Carefully go over the Rapid Review sections for Chapters 5 –9 .
— Continue to skim and highlight the Glossary.
MAY (first 2 weeks) (THIS IS IT!)
— Skim Chapters 15 –19 .
— Carefully go over the Rapid Review sections of Chapters 15 –19 .
— Complete Practice Exam 2.
— Score yourself and analyze your errors.
— Get a good night’s sleep. Fall asleep knowing that you are well prepared.
GOOD LUCK ON THE TEST!